Question

1. in the following energy pyramid, there are approximately 100,000 kilocalories available among the primary producers.

a. primary producer:
energy available: kcals
b. primary consumer:
energy available: kcals
c. secondary consumer:
energy available: kcals
d. tertiary consumer:
energy available: kcals
e. quaternary consumer:
energy available: kcals
f. who is the keystone species?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify energy transfer rule

In an energy pyramid, about 10% of energy is transferred from one trophic level to the next.

Step2: Determine primary producer

Primary producer is Phytoplankton. Energy available is given as 100,000 kcals.

Step3: Calculate primary consumer energy

Primary consumer (Crustacean). Energy = \(100000\times0.1 = 10000\) kcals.

Step4: Calculate secondary consumer energy

Secondary consumer (Herring). Energy = \(10000\times0.1=1000\) kcals.

Step5: Calculate tertiary consumer energy

Tertiary consumer (Mackerel). Energy = \(1000\times0.1 = 100\) kcals.

Step6: Calculate quaternary consumer energy

Quaternary consumer (Shark). Energy = \(100\times0.1=10\) kcals.

Step7: Identify keystone species

Keystone species is usually the top - level predator that has a large impact on the ecosystem structure. Here, Shark is the keystone species.

Answer:

a. Primary Producer: Phytoplankton; Energy available: 100000 kcals
b. Primary Consumer: Crustacean; Energy available: 10000 kcals
c. Secondary Consumer: Herring; Energy available: 1000 kcals
d. Tertiary Consumer: Mackerel; Energy available: 100 kcals
e. Quaternary Consumer: Shark; Energy available: 10 kcals
f. Who is the keystone species? Shark